Crackdown at breakdown brings about kicking game

EXPERIMENTAL LAWS:IF THE experimental law variations which are being trialled globally this season were intended to kick-start running rugby, the effect in Europe has been the reverse.

Matches have become clotted with aerial ping-pong, not so much because of any of the 13 ELVs but because of the International Rugby Board's parallel refereeing crackdown at the breakdown which has made it hazardous for attacking teams to attempt to recycle possession.

The IRB's directive to referees to stop attacking players illegally sealing off the breakdown and preventing opponents from playing the ball, or going to ground after a tackle to secure release, was a reaction to multi-phase play that became monotonous.

The IRB wanted the breakdown to become a fair contest for possession but the upshot has been for teams to stop running the ball in their territory, for fear of conceding a penalty within range. Instead the ball is booted into the other half and an aerial return expected. "Rugby has become like tennis," said Geraint John, the head of Canada's high-performance unit. "I have talked to coaches from the top nations and they all say they dare not attack more than 45 metres out because of the way the breakdown is being controlled. I watched Wales last Saturday and there was a huge amount of kicking out of hand even though both sides had potentially lethal counter-attacks.

"The only side I have seen bucking the trend . . . is Bath. I can understand what the IRB had in mind with the directive but I think it has gone too far. Teams should not be afraid of running the ball from deep and it is hard to evaluate the impact being made by the law variations. The breakdown directive has meant that officials are missing other offences, especially offside in midfield."

Wales face Canada in Cardiff tomorrow night. The home side's outhalf James Hook is one of the silkiest runners in the modern game, a player whose first instinct is to attack. He found himself on the bench against South Africa last week, behind the more controlling Stephen Jones. "I have been working hard on my kicking game and it is an increasingly important area," said Hook. "I can understand games can be frustrating for crowds when they see constant aerial ping-pong but I think things will settle down."

The main proponents of the new laws come from the Southern Hemisphere. Robbie Deans, the New Zealander who coaches Australia, believes the European unions were wrong not to trial the ELV which punishes most indiscretions with a free-kick rather than a full penalty. "It would have taken away the fear of conceding three points at the breakdown," he said. "There is less kicking now than there was in last year's World Cup and I would say it is more constructive kicking."

Australia's captain, Stirling Mortlock, believes the surfeit of kicking will be temporary. "There is always toing and froing in times of change until teams understand the new ethos," he said.

Canada's coach, the former New Zealand full-back Kieran Crowley, laments what he feels is a sameness which is working to the detriment of the individual. "How many times do you see a wing trying to run around his opponent rather than crash through him?" he asked. "The variations worked better in the Tri-Nations than they are in Europe but there is more kicking out of hand: we were well beaten by Ireland last weekend and our big weakness was dealing with their kicks."

Wales wing Mark Jones, who returns from injury tomorrow night, said he was spending more time on receiving kicks and returning them than ever before. "With attacking teams getting pulled at the breakdown, you have to have a strong kicking game," he said. "Keep getting caught in your own territory and you can find yourself nine points down before you know it. Get it down the field and chase hard. It is frustrating for players like me who like to run and counter-attack but you have to pick the right moment."

Guardian Service